Tips On Home Repairs by....Mai Peck

Once you’ve settled into your new home, you may start seeing things you’d like to change or repair. Maintenance, repair and renovations are a normal part of homeownership.

One of the best things you can do is get to know your home.

Every adult member of your household should know the location of the following:

Main shutoff valves for water, fuel and natural gas

Emergency switch for the furnace or burner

Hot water heater thermostat

Main electrical switch

Fuse box or circuit breaker box

Home improvements can make a home more pleasant to live in and may also increase its value.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Think about changes that would appeal to someone buying your home in the future.

Updating the bathrooms and kitchens in an older home can increase its resale value.

Updating the paint on the outside of your house, installing a new roof, redoing your walkways

and driveway, adding attractive mailboxes and landscaping will improve your home’s

appearance.

Some renovations can pay for themselves, especially if they result in savings on utility bills, a

higher selling price or years of greater comfort and enjoyment in your home.

Think about improving your home’s energy efficiency for comfort and savings.

Change all the locks when you buy a new home.

Add dead-bolt locks and window locks where necessary.

Consider getting a security system.

Use outdoor lighting. You can get lights that turn on automatically every evening or

motion-sensor lights that come on when someone walks by.

When you are away from home, use lights and radios on automatic timers and arrange to have

your mail and newspapers picked up or stopped.

Get to know your neighbours and keep an eye out for each other.

When you move into a new home, it is always important to:

Have a fire evacuation plan and make sure everyone in your home knows how to get out of the

home from every room.

Ensure that fire extinguishers are easily accessible at all times (if you have a two-storey home,

there should be one on each floor).

Locate and test the smoke detectors in your home every six months.

Locate and test the carbon monoxide detectors. They will detect high levels of carbon

monoxide in your home, and can save you from illness or death.

Make sure that any fire hazards, such as paper, paint, chemicals and other clutter, are stored in

a safe place.

Collect your important papers and store them in a safe place.

Keep a list of emergency numbers close to the phone and make sure your children are aware

of it.

Mortgage Agent

M08010223

Centum Pathfinder Mortgage Corp

70 Dancers Drive

Markham, Ontario, L6C 2A8

Cell: 905-715-4664

Fax: 416-849-0467

10140

Get the answers you need from CMHC, Canada's national housing agency. For more information on home renovation, maintenance and safety, please visit